1988 August Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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State tightens noose on small cities Despite reports from the state cities under 2,500 from tax levy mandates,cities continue to be ducing their budgets than do auditor siting the excellent job imits. This effort by the legisla- burdened by the financial re- communities with minimal cities do in managing their fi- ture has a profound effect on the sponsibility of implementing staffs and a budget financing nancial resources the governor City of Hugo as we are not eligi- new laws without the financial only essential services. We con- and legislature continue their ble for MSA road funds(gas tax) resources to do so. tinue to approach this dilemma demand for more financial ac- yet large enough to be restricted Hugo's contracts for munic- as a challenge, but future city eountability by cities. by the tax levy limits,which lim- ipal services now increase at a councils will be faced with the Until 1986 cities under 5,000 its our spending from the gener- faster rate than revenue can be demand for more law enforce- population were not subject to al fund. generated. Cities with large ment, better road conditions, tax levy limits. In 1988 the law Despite the lobbying efforts staffs and non-essential servic- and more sevices while reve- was amended exempting only of cities to control legislative es have more flexibility in re- nues continue to dwindle. "Truth in Taxation" re uirements Fillingof q A 1988 tax law approved by be impossible to differentiate with counties estimating mail- the legislature contains a"truth in tax increases caused by local ing notices at approximately wetlands taxation" provision that will re- budgets as opposed to tax in- $4,000,000 and cities will be re- quire all.local units of govern- creases in property values. quired to expend upwards of prohibited ment to notify each property Cities will have to prepare $2,000 each for publication fees owner of proposed tax increases their budgets by August 1 of to comply with said law. in H and conduct public hearings on each year as oppose&to the old Once again the legislature ig- proposed budgets. October deadlines. nored the pleas of local units of The filling of ditches,pond- This law does not apply to The law will place a costly government for reasonableness ing areas and wetlands in the cities under 2,500 population and difficult burden on county while at the same time exempt- City of Hugo without first secur- and is limited to real estate taxes auditors to compute proposed ing themselves from the truth in ing site plan approval from the thereby excluding the state from tax increases for each parcel of taxation law and all of this after city and permits from the Dept. said law. property within the county by approving an 18% gas tax in- of Natural Resources, and or This law was very controver- August 8th of each year. crease affecting all Minnesota Rice Creek Watershed District is sial and will be extremely diffi- This law will also be ex- taxpayers. prohibited. cult to implement as it will likely tremely costly to implement, With the City of Hugo being a relatively flat community topo- graphically opo- regulated Hugo ter pg the ditches and g a-Shooting in terpoondinareas are an integral No person shall fire or dis- sent of the owner or legal occu- shooting on premises owned or part of the city's surface water charge guns, fire arms of any pant thereof, the city ordinance controlled by any duly incorpo- management plan. kind within the limits of any City does not apply to the lawful de- rated social organization, or The control of these areas for road,county road,park or other fense of persons, property or when ordered by military author- the most part has been by the wa- City property,or on any private family, or in the necessary en- ity. tershed districts in the past., property, except with the con- forcement'of the laws,or for trap however, recent legislation will be passing more of that respon- Maintain pride in our community sib selves.eon to the cities them- s. Over the last several years the City of Hugo has time it is witnessed. Please report any unauthor- experienced an increase in people illegally I If you witness such an incident,please get the ized filling of ditches and wet- dumping garbage and rubbish in isolated road license number of thevehicle or identify any indi- ladn areas so that these situa- ditches within the corporate limits. viduals and notify the City or the Washington tions can be investigated by the Individuals owning land in the city have also County Sheriffs Department immediately. proper authorities. started dumping construction materials and other Keeping our community clean and attractive illegal fill without securing the proper approvals. will go a long way toward furthering community White Bear The city is asking the help of all Hugo residents pride and improving our image as a desirable {.r to report any incidents of illegal dumping at the place to live. gun club battle continues Dial 911 Council Members "City Staff The City of Hugo will be back in court defending its de- for e- for iiiiiii Mr. George Atkinson, Mayor Ken Huber,City Administrator vial of a special use permit to the Mr. Deane Vail,Ward 1 John Benson,Bldg. Inspector White Bear Gun Club in the mid emergencies Mr.Arthur Potts,Ward 2 Mary Ann Creager,City Clerk1970's. The City expects to Mr. Robert Olson,Ward 3 Carole LaBelle,Deputy Clerk spend upwards of $20,000 in 439-9381 for other law Ms. Theodora Peltier,at large 1988-1989 to once again defend enforcement services. its position. posi City of Hugo Newsletter Page 2